With the girl's consent, Zhao Heng urgently contacted the operating room to prepare for a minimally invasive procedure to obtain a brain tissue biopsy.

The preparation for the surgery still takes some time, so Zhao Heng returned to the office and began researching information on Naegleria fowleri infection.

There have been only 10 cases of this parasitic infection in the country, and at Eastern Hospital, where all of Zhao Heng's experience lies, there was no treatment experience whatsoever.

Therefore, Zhao Heng is essentially in the dark regarding this deadly parasitic infection, and it can be said that this is the biggest crisis he has encountered in his medical career.

Because this time, it involves not just treating a single patient but also a severe cross-national public health emergency, the complexity of which is unprecedented.

Just as Zhao Heng opened his computer to search the literature, Liu Ziang, Gao Jun, and Director Liu Shangming walked into the office.

Upon entering, Liu Shangming directly asked Zhao Heng, "Xiao Zhao, can you confirm if it's a Naegleria fowleri infection?"

Earlier, he was discussing matters with Gao Jun in the director's office when Liu Ziang suddenly came over and informed them about the situation.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shangming immediately realized the severity of the situation and came over at once.

If it is indeed confirmed, he must report it to the ministry within two hours of diagnosis; this is a mandatory procedure in handling emergency public health incidents.

"From the patient's current medical history and symptoms, there's over a 90% likelihood of a Naegleria fowleri infection. Now, we're just waiting for the operating room to be ready to perform a tissue biopsy for pathogen detection and confirmation."

Zhao Heng said.

Although Eastern Hospital hasn't had a doctor welcome such a patient, there are doctors who have read literature in this area.

Therefore, Zhao Heng is still confident in making the diagnosis.

"Yes, we must confirm it as soon as possible. There's no time to waste. Has the family agreed?"

Liu Shangming nodded, expressing his admiration for Zhao Heng's ability. Besides, Zhao Heng had never made a mistake so far, so Liu Shangming had full trust in Zhao Heng's judgment.

Moreover, if it is confirmed, it would be a significant matter for Eastern Hospital.

Just after taking his position, Liu Shangming is faced with such an urgent and unexpected situation, and if not handled well, the consequences could be very serious.

"The patient's family hasn't arrived yet, but we have obtained consent from the patient's girlfriend."

Zhao Heng replied.

"Director, should I go ahead and alert the emergency response department of the ministry now?"

Gao Jun suddenly suggested.

"It's not yet confirmed, and reporting now would be inconsistent with the procedure, but giving them a heads-up wouldn't hurt."

Upon hearing Gao Jun's proposal, Liu Shangming pondered and said.

While procedures must be followed, understanding adaptability is also important.

There's no need to discuss Gao Jun's status in the ministry—involving him would ensure Eastern Hospital wouldn't be too passive in handling the situation.

This issue cannot be shouldered by Eastern Hospital alone.

"Last month, I actually read a news article. The Disease Management Department in Country H reported the first case of 'Brain-Eating Amoeba' infection.

The report stated that the patient, who exhibited related symptoms for more than 10 days, died of sudden meningitis, with Naegleria fowleri genes detected in their samples."

"I didn't expect that just a month later, a suspected case of Naegleria fowleri infection would emerge in Jeju Island, such a tourist spot."

Liu Ziang remarked with some regret.

As a top neurosurgeon and expert, he had been paying attention to this rare brain-targeting parasitic infection. So when the news came out, he was quick to learn about it.

However, he didn't expect that a month after Country H's Disease Management Department confirmed a Naegleria fowleri case, there would be no response regarding the suspected tourist infection in Jeju Island.

Could it be that the hospital on Jeju Island didn't report it?

"If indeed confirmed, Jeju Island would first have to ban tourist entries, undergo thorough disinfection, and conduct a wide-ranging screening. For at least six months, it wouldn't be able to host tourists."

Gao Jun deliberated and said.

As the largest island in Country H, Jeju Island is a major tourist destination with a remarkable economic impact; shutting down for half a year would be unimaginable in terms of damage and devastation to the tourism industry.

"Is tourism more important or human lives more important? I don't believe the doctors there wouldn't have considered the outbreak of this patient at all."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shangming spoke with some anger.

Country H has advanced healthcare and naturally has infectious disease prevention and emergency response mechanisms. Previously, Country H's Disease Management Department confirmed a case of Naegleria fowleri infection, which would be included in the infectious disease warning mechanism's database.

Moreover, in a tourist hotspot, for patients with symptoms like headaches, vomiting, and fever closely related to infectious diseases, local attending doctors and disease control center staff wouldn't consider any possibility of such infectious diseases?

"Director, different countries have different situations."

"Perhaps for us, human lives come first, but for them, maybe that's not the priority."

Gao Jun lamented, acknowledging a fundamental difference in perspectives not changeable by human intervention; all that can be done now is to handle this matter the best they can.

"Xiao Zhao, what are your thoughts on the treatment? The 10 previously reported domestic cases all died shortly after symptom onset, and in the medical community, there is practically no experience in treating Naegleria fowleri infection."

Director Liu Shangming expressed genuine concern to Zhao Heng.

"The Naegleria fowleri trophozoite primarily enters the patient's body through the nose, crosses the cribriform plate to reach the brain, where it severely damages the central nervous system. This is why it's called the 'Brain-Eating Amoeba.'

"Currently, the patient has severe brain edema and meningitis. I'm considering a combined treatment plan using amphotericin B, fluconazole, azithromycin, rifampin, and miltefosine."

Zhao Heng pondered and said.

"Xiao Zhao, you're pulling out the big guns right away, but for now, that's the only way."

Upon hearing Zhao Heng's proposed treatment plan, Liu Shangming realized that Zhao Heng was immediately going for a strong approach, as drugs like amphotericin, fluconazole, and azithromycin are typically used only when other antibiotics prove ineffective.

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